Page 419 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

BRIDS OF PREY/GAMEBIRDS
Family Falconidae Species Falco biarmicus Family Tetraonidae Species Bonasa bonasia
Lanner Hazel Grouse
This is one of the big falcons, longer-tailed and In its dense forest habitat, the Hazel Grouse is very
slimmer-winged than a Peregrine (see p.143), and hard to see, typically flying off from the ground well
darker and greyer than a Saker. It has a paler breast before anyone gets close. It is always secretive, looking
than a Peregrine and its head is dark, and only revealing a spotted chest and underside
marked with buff or rufous.The buff or rufous at close range; males have black throats. In flight, the
head
juvenile is browner, heavily striped brown wings and paler grey rump, contrasting with
below, but paler under the tail. a black tail band, may be glimpsed.
All have a dark forewing band OCCURRENCE Forest
underneath the wing, most and mountains of black
throat
obvious on young birds. C and E Europe,
OCCURRENCE Rare in and Scandinavia.
S Italy and Balkans, VOICE Very thin,
in semi-arid areas blue- high notes from
grey
and mountains. back displaying male
VOICE Harsh, loud, almost Goldcrest-
rasping chatter. like (see p.337).
grey rump
ADULT
MALE

Length 43–50cm (17–20in) Wingspan 95–105cm (37 1 ⁄2 –41 1 ⁄4in) Length 34–39cm (13 1 ⁄2 –15 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 48–54cm (19–21 1 ⁄2in)

Family Phasianidae Species Alectoris graeca Family Phasianidae Species Alectoris barbara
Rock Partridge Barbary Partridge
A rare partridge of mountains and rocky slopes, best A rare bird very restricted in range in Europe, the
identified by distribution and habitat, the Rock Barbary Partridge has striped flanks, a mostly whitish
Partridge has a pure white throat, black curving down grey face without a dark eye-stripe, and a spotted,
beside the bill, and very little white behind the eye. reddish brown collar. Its breast is grey, the belly pale
It is a plain-backed, barred-flanked bird, like a Chukar orange, and legs pale reddish.A dark central stripe
or Red-legged Partridge (see pp.418, 150) in general shows on the crown. It is very like a Red-legged
appearance, with a short red bill and red legs and Partridge (see p.150) when seen flying off and its
a rufous tail showing in flight. general behaviour is similar.
black stripe
OCCURRENCE Scarce on OCCURRENCE Gibraltar,
through eye
alpine slopes, in Alps, Italy, Corsica,Atlantic islands, whitish grey
face
and Balkans. and N Africa.
VOICE Short, hard, VOICE Series of quick, reddish brown
collar
choking notes in rhythmic, hoarse notes.
long series, more
varied than
Chukar’s. striped flanks (less
neatly patterned
barred flanks on juvenile)
(less regular
on juvenile)
ADULT
ADULT
Length 33–36cm (13–14in) Wingspan 46–53cm (18–21in) Length 15–16cm (6–6 1 ⁄2in) Wingspan 8–9cm (3 1 ⁄4–3 1 ⁄2in)
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